MRCS to become formal exit requirement for core surgical training

Successful completion of the membership of the Royal College of Surgeons (MRCS) examination will become a formal exit requirement for core surgical training from August 2013.

At present MRCS is a requirement for appointment to specialty training year 3 in surgical specialties but is not an explicit exit requirement for core surgical training.

The General Medical Council has said that existing core trainees will be able to have an extension to training if they fail the exam. The GMC is working with the Conference of Postgraduate Medical Deans to develop guidance for trainees on run-through programmes.